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Author: Kaitlyn Short
LAST UPDATED: October 5th, 2022
The Iris home automation system was developed and created by Lowe's, a trusted hardware and home improvement store. The Iris home automation system is available online. The company offers a choice of two starter packages. It is significant to note that the Iris Hub, which is required to act as a bridge for all of the connected products and the user's smartphone. The system offers both a free and premium plan, with an additional medical monitoring pendant available for an added monthly fee and the cost of equipment.
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The Good
- Ease of getting started
- Choice in plans
Ease of Getting Started
The Iris home automation system offers affordable starter kits that make it easy to get started right away. For some of the more advanced features, the company recommends professional installation. These costs vary based on the system and features. Iris is compatible with most Z-Wave devices, so users can add to their system easily. The process of pairing is fairly straightforward and has been compared to the process of adding wireless printers or connecting devices to a router. Those who are comfortable with doing either, should be comfortable with adding new products to the system.Choice in Plans
Iris includes two options of monitoring plans-Basic and Premium. The Basic Plan is free. Those selecting the Premium Plan receive two months free and has a monthly charge of $9.99. The free trial allows members to decide if the service is right for them before being charged. Most customers find that the Basic Plan does not allow them enough flexibility and choose to purchase the Premium Plan. The Basic Plan gives members the ability to do the following:- Control devices, thermostat, and sprinkler system remotely
- Schedule devices to turn on or off
- Stream live video to their smartphone
- Receive notifications for alarms or alerts
- Review activity history log for the past 24 hours
- Lock or unlock doors remotely
- Monitor the interior temperature of the home
- Create rules for the household and be alerted to any changes to family members' daily routines
- Group lights and switches into custom groupings
- Up to six people can receive notifications for alarms or alerts
- Review the activity history log for up to the last 14 days
- Create on-command video recordings which also can be triggered by alarms or events
- Receive notifications when authorized users arrive or depart the home - such as when children leave for school and return home safely
- Create system-wide rule so that devices can trigger other devices
- Customize the dashboard with quick links to favorite devices
- Up to six people can receive messages if routines are out of the ordinary
The Bad
- High-tiered plan is average for industry
- No video download
- Problems with app and products
- Starter kits do not include hub
High-Tiered Plan Is Average for Industry
Iris offers a competitive product to several DIY hubs/sensors which are already on the market. For most of these, there is no monthly cost for monitoring. While less expensive than most of the full monitoring systems, the Premium Plan is not significantly different from the competitors to justify a monthly fee for many users.No Video Download
Users can set up rules so that the system would automatically record when certain sensors are triggered, e.g. when someone crosses the threshold of the porch, etc. This can be useful if packages are stolen, etc., but the fatal flaw in Iris is that these videos cannot be downloaded so thatProblems with app and products
Customers have reported problems with the app which range from bugs to the interface being too cluttered. Iris recently released an update which was supposed to address glitches, but there has not been enough time elapsed to see if this has been the case with customers since the release. Many of the Iris products have mediocre ratings on Lowe's site, which suggests that there remain some issues with the technology to work through. Again, time will tell, but it may be a concern for some.Starter Kits Do Not Include Hub
Worth mentioning is that the Iris Starter kits sold by Lowe's do not include the Iris hub. Pricing for these kits and the number of sensors included is comparable to competing companies, but the starter kit is absent a critical piece of equipment, making the price per piece significantly higher for Iris starter kits.The Bottom Line
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RichW Orange, CA
It is primarily a home automation device that also does home security. The one star rating on this page has outdated information. I am sure that he received his FREE iris 2.0 hubs from Lowes. The system is great for the do-it-yourselfer who wants to do home automation, purchasing various pieces made by major brands like Nest, GE, and others. I also went all in on version 1 and upgraded to the new FREE 2.0 hub.
I appreciate the additional and growing number of hardware options that are available for IRIS.
7 years ago
Calvin Roberts Leawood, KS
i went all in on IRIS Version 1. I have it installed in 3 different homes and loved it. I have 6 cameras, 24 contact sensors, 5 motion detectors, 8 iris enabled light bulbs, 3 glass break detectors, 2 smoke detectors, 10 smart plugs, a 7 day programmable thermostat, a moisture sensor, water shut-off valve, 2 sirens, 2 fobs, 2 keypads, 2 garage door tilt sensors, and 2 power meter readers; all in one house!
Further I have recommended it to several coworkers, two of whom also purchased a system. Now I am being told that on June 30 I have to migrate to IRIS 2.0. give up my secure web interface and manage my home security system on an unsecured wireless phone and ,my Verizon wireless USB modem in my IRIS system isn't supported in 2.0 and there is not yet a promised replacement being offered. I've ordered my "replacement hubs months ago and so far only 1 of them has shipped and been delivered, one was lost by UPS and there is no accounting for the third one.
Is this program being run by millennium chimps? What moron forces their happy customers to manage their home security network on un unsecure smart phone???
Who operates a business like this, especially a security based business!? Needless to say I am very fed up and just about done with Lowe's altogether!
8 years ago
larry zilm
system will not pair with devices after calling customer service I was promised replacements would be sent that has been almost a year and three phone calls later still nothing. customer service have no clue what they are talking about when you call. There is none to talk to about issues except the customer service and they don't even return calls, this system is a total failer. most lowes stores are not even stocked with the devices to add to system. it looks like lowes will no longer carry the iris system
7 years ago
Jeff Martin Layton, UT
Love this store. Been shopping at the one by my house for as long as I can remember. They have a very helpful staff and I always find what I need. Good quality stuff!
6 years ago
Landon Robison Layton, UT
Lowes has endless stuff for your home needs. Always have a good experience when I go there and the staff is very helpful.
6 years ago
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H Moore Lehi, UT
We've used some of the smart home features and we love them.
6 years ago
Jmac Plano, TX
Terrible that the service for my water heater was discontinued shortly after it was purchased.
2 years ago
